Equity theory equity theory is a motivational theory that finds its roots and foundations in cognitive dissonance theory and is extended to form the basis for justice theory. employees, either consciously or subconsciously, compare various elements of their situation (i. e. inputs and outcomes) with other people (comparison other) and come up with a "ratio". this ratio allows a person to determine if they perceive they are being treated fairly (i. e. an "equitable" situation in which the person's ratio of outcomes to inputs is equivalent to that of their "comparison other"), or if there is a situation of inequity. inequity can be either "positive" (i. e. when the person's outcome to input ratio is greater than the "comparison other's") or "negative" (i. e. when the "comparison other's" outcome to input ratio is greater than the person's). when inequity is perceived, the theory states that there are a variety of "strategies" the person can take to rectify that inequity. these might include altering their own or other's inputs or outcomes (work less or steal from an employer), re-evaluating those inputs and/or outputs (think the situation through again), or even choosing a different comparison other! this exercise will give you the opportunity to try out equity theory in order to better understand the theory's components and resulting behaviors for this activity, you will be determining which state of inequity is being indicated in the model and identifying the correct strategies to rectify that situation. first, drag and drop the correct state of inequity from the list on the left into the model. next, choose the correct strategy from the list on the left to address that situation and drag and drop it into the appropriate place in the model state of inequity state of inequity strategy ther what i get out of my job what they get out of their job positive inequity what i put into my job negative inequity what they put into their job strategies to rectify inequity increase my outcomes increase my inputs increase "other's'" ther what they get out of their job what i get out outcomes of my job what i put into my job increase "other's" what they put into their job inputs reset